GOP runoff in District 25 a scramble for votes

AUSTIN— In the vast stretches of Texas’ new congressional District 25 — covering about 200 miles through parts of 11 counties between Austin and Fort Worth — Republicans Roger Williams and Wes Riddle have been doing a lot of walking and talking.

In a primary runoff where turnout is expected to be light, both candidates are spending the final days before Tuesday’s election stumping through small-town neighborhoods and village square meetings to mingle and shake hands in hopes the personal connection will win votes.

“In this election,” Williams said, “one vote could equal 10.”

Riddle agreed and then took a shot at Williams, describing him as a car-salesman slickster who just discovered the value of talking face to face with voters.

“The election will hinge on people touching other people, door to door,” Riddle said. “I’ve been doing that for a year and he just started.”

As Republicans, Williams and Riddle agree on several things. Both want to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, balance the federal budget, secure the border against illegal immigration and reduce federal regulations they say prevent job growth.

But this is a political season where Republicans are competing to prove who is the “most” conservative. And the final days of the Williams-Riddle race have boiled down to a familiar “outsider vs. establishment” theme.

Williams, 62, is a politically connected, former secretary of state from Weatherford. He has run a successful car dealership, raised money for Gov. Rick Perry and former President George W. Bush and has been considering running for office for several years. He calls the limp economy the most critical issue facing voters and says his 41 years in business would be invaluable experience to take to Congress.

“You’re not going to make any harder decisions in Washington than small businesses and moms and dads have to make with their own money every day,” Williams said. “I hope we focus on getting (President) Barack Obama out of Washington and let the private sector have their crack at running this country.”

Williams served as Perry’s secretary of state from 2005-2007 and says the job gave him an up-close look at the diversity and size of Texas, its economy and “how great the Texas spirit is.” Despite his connections to Perry and other top Texas Republicans, Williams rejects Riddle’s attempt to pin him with the “establishment” label.

“I don’t know what that word means. I wanted to help my state and help my country. I’m proud of my relationship with Gov. Perry and President Bush,” Williams said.

Riddle, 51, is a retired Army lieutenant colonel and former defense contractor from Gatesville who considers himself a fiscal and social conservative and “strict constitutionalist.” Riddle says U.S. citizens should be grounded in religious faith, notably Christian, and the government should follow the ideals of the Founding Fathers.

“Our liberty will not be secure unless faith among our people is strong,” Riddle said. “I personally believe our fiscal crisis is related to our constitutional crisis, which is spiritual in nature. We have not elected the leaders with the moral courage to confront what is undermining our government.”

Riddle was among the early leaders of the tea party movement in Texas and now counts maverick U.S. Rep. Ron Paul among his supporters. He has said if elected he would is draw up impeachment proceedings because of what he calls the president’s disregard for the Constitution.

Decisions made by government are different from those in business, said Riddle, who has owned a bed and breakfast, a restaurant, and a small retail store.

The new District 25 is one of four new districts created to reflect the state’s growing population. It meanders through rural country with pockets of affluent retirees and was drawn to elect a Republican. It includes the University of Texas campus and the state Capitol in Austin, Fort Hood (the largest military installation in the U.S.) near Killeen and the Comanche Peak nuclear power plant in Glen Rose, about 40 miles southeast of Fort Worth.

Williams and Riddle emerged from a crowded primary field of 12 candidates to advance to the runoff. Williams was the frontrunner with about 25 percent of the vote and Riddle got about 15 percent. Williams has dominated fundraising, with about $2.7 million compared to about $230,000 for Riddle.

The winner will face Democrat Elaine Henderson, a retired teacher and airport security worker from Lago Vista, in the general election.